Skipness Castle

This short but beautiful walk visits the impressive 13th century Skipness Castle and chapel before heading out to the stunning beach at Skipness Point. The return heads up a wooded dell beside a burn - this can be muddy but could be omitted if preferred.

Terrain

Mostly on tracks; return through wooded dell is on narrow path, sometimes muddy.

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start at the car park for Skipness Castle just off the B8001 beyond the church at Skipness. Cross the road and pass through the ornate gateway, passing the old lodge house and follow the drive towards Skipness House - which now has a cabin selling local seafood. At a fork keep right, then take the next left when the drive to the house and seafood cabin goes right. Continue until the metal gate allows you access to Skipness Castle on the right.

Stage 2

The castle dates back to the 13th century, although it has been much altered and extended over the years. Built by a local lord, it used the latest designs in military architecture popular in mainland Europe. The importance of Skipness was eclipsed by the building of Tarbert Castle to the north which Robert the Bruce gave to the MacDonalds in 1325. Later it became a stronghold of the Campbell clan but fell into disrepair in the 19th century, today it is looked after by Historic Scotland.

Stage 3

Once you have explored the castle return to the track and turn right and then immediately right again at a house to head down a straight track towards the sea. Go through the gate and continue straight ahead with Skipness House visible to the right. At the bottom of the field next to the sea follow the track round to the left passing a small pond and continuing along next to the shore.

Stage 4

Soon you can visit the 13th century chapel of St Brendan, or Kilbrannan. The builder of the castle, either local lord Sween or his son Dugald, granted the chapel at Skipness, dedicated to St Columba, to the monks of Paisley Abbey in 1261. When the castle was built, a new chapel was built in this location, and was used until the end of the 17th century. A stone stile allows access to the graveyard and chapel ruins.

Stage 5

After the chapel you can either go over the wooden stile almost opposite onto the shore or walk along the track and through the farm gate if it is not too muddy. Continue along the shore passing a lovely beach to reach Skipness Point. Here amongst the clusters of oystercatchers, shags and gulls, there are great views across to the Isle of Arran with the white buildings of Lochranza easily visible. From here retrace your steps back past the chapel and castle.

Stage 6

After passing the track to the seafood cabin, cross the bridge as on the outward route and then turn right onto a narrow path amid thick rhododendrons to walk alongside the burn (this section can be muddy - simply retrace your steps if you wish to avoid). In spring the ground is covered with snowdrops, and in summer, wild garlic. After a while the path crosses a pretty stone bridge and continue upstream on the other side. Pass through an area of pine trees and then thick rhododendrons and crossing a couple of small streams on footbridges before emerging onto the road at a stone bridge. Turn left here to follow the road past the farm at Monybachach. After a downhill section the road reaches the car park at the start of the walk.